Japan defence minister denies militarism and criticises China's 'huge arsenal'
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- Shinjiro Koizumi denied Japan's alleged "new militarism" and shifted criticism onto China’s expanding weapons stockpile at the Shangri‑la Dialogue in Singapore.
- Japan approved a defence budget exceeding 9 trillion yen ($57 bn), marking the 12th consecutive year of record spending and moving toward a 2 % of GDP target.
- China’s defence ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin warned of a “remilitarised Japan” and urged the international community to contain Japan’s “neo‑militarism”.
- Koizumi pledged “high‑degree transparency” and ongoing dialogue with regional partners while highlighting China’s rapid, opaque military expansion.
- Japan’s minister cited China’s “huge arsenal” of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers as a serious concern for the international community.
Why it matters: Japan’s 9 trillion‑yen defence budget accelerates its march toward a 2 % GDP target, bolstering domestic arms firms while provoking Chinese criticism that underscores an escalating arms race in East Asia.
